UNITED FAMILY

Last updated : 02 March 2003 By Editor

JSV has said that he isn't the first from his family to play for an English club.

The Mirror.

The Argentina midfielder has revealed his uncle Pedro Verde played for Sheffield United from 1978 to 1981, and helped them win the unglamorous Yorkshire and Humberside Cup.

The trophy disappeared and some claim Verde took it back to South America.

Veron said: "As far as I am aware, no one has ever known about this, but my uncle Pedro Verde played for Sheffield United.

"He used to play with my dad at Estudiantes. My uncle and aunt then spent two years in Sheffield. So there I was hoping to play for Sheffield United and here I am at Manchester United."

Veron's interest in English football started when Verde and fellow Argentinian Alex Sabella signed for United.

While Sabella became a first-team regular, Verde made just 10 appearances in three years, scoring three goals. He returned to Argentina at the outbreak of the Falklands War.

Blades commercial manager Peter Garret said: "Verde's claim to fame from his time here is he nicked the bloody trophy. People are pretty sure when he went back to Argentina he took it with him because it's never been seen since."

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